Dredging device.



PATENTED NOV 29, 1904.

0. FRUHLING. DREDGING DEVIGB. APPLICATION FILED MAB. 9, 1904.

9 SHEETS-BEBE! 2.

PATBNTED NOV. 29, 1904.

0. FRfiHLING.

.DREDGING DEVICE.

AYPLIOATIOH FILED MAR. 9, 1904.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

N0 MODEL.

NI). 776.050. PATENTED NOV. 29, 1904. O. FRfiHLING.

DREDGING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 9, 1904. no MODEL 9 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

PATENTED NOV. 29, 1904.

0. FRUHLING. DREDGING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAE. a, 1904.

9 SHEETS-811E121 5.

N0 MODEL.

PATENTBD NOV. 29, 1904. 0 FRI'THLING. DREDGING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAB. 9, 1904.

no MODEL.)

9 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

PATENTED NOV. 29, 1904.

0.. FRUHLING. DREDGING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 9, 1904.

0 SHEETS-GHEBT 7.

no MODEL.

No. 776,050. PATENTE D NOV. 29-, 1904.

O. PRUHLING.

DREDGING DEVICE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR. e, 1904.

9 SEEBTB-BHEET 8.

NO MODEL.

PATENTED NOV. 29, 1904.v

0. PRfiHLING.

DREDGING DEVICE.

APPLIGATION FILED MAR. 9, 1904.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 0.

NO MODEL.

Patented November 29, 1904.

PATENT OEEIcE.

OTTO FRUHLING, OF BRUNSWVIOK, GERMANY.

DREDGING DEVICE...

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.776,050, dated November29, 1904.

Application filed March 9, 1904.

To all whmn it 711/1117 concern.-

Be it known that I, Or'ro FRUHLING, civil engineer, a subject of theDuke of Brunswick, residing at 5 Monumentsplatz, in the city ofBrunswick, in the German Empire, have invented acertain new and usefulDredging Device, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to a dredging device for removingdredging-soil from ships or from the ground of a stagnant or flowingwater' by suction.

The invention is intended to facilitate the work of emptying ships orother containers of dredging-soil and also to render much easier theoperation of raising such soil, which has to be removed frombuilding-grounds or for the purpose of deepening already existingwaters.

The improvement in the raising of the soil, as compared with the formermethod and the peculiarity of the new method about to be described,resides in the following facts: First, the water necessary for thesucking out of the soil does not need to be pumped into the containersby a special pumping device, as is the case in the canoe suction devicesnow in use, the water, on the contrary, flowing in directly and by theaction of the suction-pump only; second, the entire arrangement of thepipeeond uits, which serve for the admission of the water required forthe sucking operation and for the sucking 0H ofthe dredging-soil, isconsiderably simplified; third, the new arrangement permits of actingupon the soil to be dredged and of disintegrating the same in a closedspace in a bell-shaped chamber and by means of water sucked up by thedredgingpump; fourth, the quantity of water to he admitted into theinterior of the bell-shaped chamber for action upon the soil and for thedisintegration of the same, and consequently, also, the amount of watercontained in the masses to be pumped out from the bell, may be increasedor decreased in any suitable manner. These advantages are attained bythe new arrangement of dredging d evice, which is so constructed as toprovide means whereby an apparatus with closed top and closed sidewalls, which I will call a bell, is placed over those points of theground from which the soil is to be removed, the said bell, the frontopen- Serial No. 197,275- (No model.)

ing of which covers the soil to be removed, being inserted in apipe-conduit, one end of which leads into the open water, while theother end of the same is connected to the dredging-pump.

The novel dredging device is applied in two different modifications,according to the particular conditions prevailing in certain cases. Amovable bell is used in such cases where the dredging device is to beconstructed independently of the spaces to be emptied, as in the case ofemptying ships which are, t0 be placed close to the dredger or in thecase of deepening building-grounds or already existing waters. Thesecases are illustrated by Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings and by Fig. 3,respectively. Stationary bells, however, are used where the emptyingdevice is to remain permanently connected to the space to be emptied.Such forms of execution are shown in Figs. 4 to S of the drawings. Theother figures refer to constructional details, which will be mentionedin their respective places.

Figs. 1 to 3 represent the entire arrangement of the dredging apparatusprovided with a movable bell in plan view, side view, and rear view. Aship to be emptied is represented as lying close to the dredger. Thepipeconduit of the dredging device starts below the level of the waterat the water-admission opening a, which may be closed, if desired, withthe suction-conduit I), which leads to a rotating center 0, whichcorresponds with another rotating center (Z, arranged on the stationarypipe system opposite to the first rotating center and beyond which thestationary pipe-conduit is extended. Between these two rotating orpivoting points 0 and (Z a pipe-conduit 6 eff, capable of oscillatingmovement, is arranged, from which the bell g is suspended, so as toenable it to descend gradually. From the stationary pivoting-point (Z apipe-conduit it leads off to the dredging-pu mp afrom which thedredging-soil is forced out through another pipe-conduit.

The general outlines of the movable bell g are represented in Fig. 9.Upon the top of the bell-shaped body are provided nipples for connectionwith admission and discharge conduits e and f, respectively. In order toincrease the efliciency of the action of the current of water sucked upthrough the branch pipe 6 0 upon the soil contained within the bell, oneor more tongues 1 may be provided in the interior of the bell whichdirect the current of water which flows through the bell toward the soilto be disintegrated. The number, the length, and the shape of thesetongues depend upon the nature of the soil to be removed, and in thisrespect the bell is adapted to the conditions of the soil. In order toassist the sinking down of the bell into the soil which is to be dredgedout, the bell may also be so arranged and constructed that two or threejets of water under pressure can issue from its entrance-opening. Forthis purpose a pressure water-pipe a leads down to the lower part of thebell and toachannel 5, which surrounds the rim of the opening of thebell and from which jets 6 of water under pressure may issue in anysuitable manner.

In the arrangement of the device, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3 and 3*,respectively, the branch pipes from the water-inlet to the bell andextending from the bell to the pump are partly above the water-level, sothat the branch pipes have to operate as siphons. It is therefore alsonecessary to provide an easily-manipulated device for filling bothbranches of the pipe-conduit both between the bell and theWater-entrance opening and between the bell and the pump and between thebell itself for the purpose of being able to remove the air from thespaces before commencing the raising of the soil and in case air shouldaccumulate during the raising operation in the branches of the pipe.I/Vith this end in view a second separate suction branch conduit is anda second separate pressure branch conduit Zis connected to thepipe-conduit b and the casing of the valve m, hereinafter referred to, aconduitrc connecting the casing of valve n, which is arranged in theconduit it, with the discharge-pipe 0, the said conduits being soarranged and said valves being of such character that by a reversal ofthe valves the branches of the pipes can be shut off alternately fromthe pump. The branch conduit It, which can be closed against theentrance of water by a bottom valve in the same manner as the pipe a,leads from the open water into a valve-casing, Figs. 1, 3, the specialconstruction of which is illustrated by Figs. 10 and 10. Fromthevalve-casing this branch of piping which is entirely under water leadsthrough the valve a into the pipeconduit it and to the pump. The otherauxiliary branch pipe Z branches off from the suction-pipe Z) and leadsto a valve-casing, Fig. 11, to which the conduit which leads to thepressure-pipe 0 is connected through the valve m in accordance with thepositions Fig. 11 and Fig. 11, respectively. The valves m and n areconnected to each other and are controlled by the reversal of a singlelever. The

shifting of the valves and the consequent filling of the pipes may beeffected at any time and as often as desired during the operation of thepump whenever it is necessary to fill the pipes. The escape of waterthrough the opening at a into the open water during the fillingoperation is automatically prevented by providing a bottom valve, whilethe escape below and through the rim of the bell is prevented by puttingthe bell tightly upon the ground. ter the bell has been lowered upon theplace where the soil is to be dredged out andafter the pipe-conduit hasbeen filled with water, Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 3, water is sucked in throughthe branch (0 b e of the pipe-conduit, the water entering into the bellg and then flowing to the pump through the pipe f h. Upon continuing theoperation of the pump the water which has been sucked in flowsuninterruptedly through the bell, and by the force of its current itbreaks loose the soil which is covered by the bell or which has enteredinto the same and takes it up to the pump.

During the dredging operation the valves m and a are in the positionshown in the drawings in Fig. 2 and in Figs. 10 and 11. In this positionthe branches f, h, and 0 of the pipeconduit are open to the directaction of the pump, while the branches 7c and Z are closed.

The water is sucked in at a, ascends in I), descends to the bell g,thence it ascends in f, descends through this pipe to the pump, and isforced out by the pump through 0. If there is air in the branch pipes Z)0 and f h and if these branch pipes are to be filled with water,

the valves m and a are reversed into the'position shown in Figs. 10 and11 and without stopping the pump. The branch pipes f, h, and 0 are thenclosed for the direct action of the pump, while is and Z are opened. Thewater enters now through the conduit k and into the pump and is forcedout by the pump through the valve m and the pipe Z and into 5, whence itpasses to the hell 9 and from this through f, 72., 73, and 0 to theoutside. By this means the branch pipes Z) c and f it and the bell Qwill be filled completely with water by the action of the dredging-pumpby merely reversing the valves m and a and without influencing orinterfering with the continuous run of the pump. By its weight the bellsinks gradually down during the pumping operation to the depth down towhich the soil is to be removed underneath the bell. After this depthhas been reached and if no moreof the soil is forced into the bell bythe pressure of the lateral masses which have been left standing thebell is lifted and moved laterally and placed above another surface,from which it has to remove the soil in the same manner. This process isrepeated until the space under treatment has been emptied or until theshallowness operated upon is removed.

In case of employment of a stationary bell,

If the dredging-pump is started af as shown, for instance, in Figs. 4,'5, and 6, the walls of the space to be emptied are so constructed thatthe soil contained therein sinks down gradually by its own weight in thedirection toward the opening of the bell in the ratio of the progress ofthe emptying operation. The bell may then be arranged within the spaceitself above the bottom of the same, as shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6, or itmay be laterally arranged in any suitable manner, as shown, forinstance, in Figs. 4, 5, and in accordance with the shape of the spaceto be emptied.

In the case of very long spaces several bells in succession may bemounted in the pipe-conduit. as shown, for instance, in Figs. 7, 7 8, 8,in the same manner as shown with reference to one bell. In this case thebells are also provided with means allowing of their being connected anddisconnected from the pipe-conduit, as may be desired. This deviceconsists in providing the bells with an arrangement of slides, as shownin detail and by way of example in Figs. 7, 7 8, 8, and in Figs. 12, 12,12. It comprises two slidevalves e 10, arranged side by side and eachprovided with a passage 8, corresponding to the pipe-conduit 6 it, andbelow this passage each valve is provided with a projecting extension*1, also corresponding in shape to the conduit. Fig. 12 shows the valvesin their lowered position, and the bell g is in this case cut off orseparated from the conduit I) it, the water from the branch pipe 6passing directly through 8 .9 into the branch pipe h. Fig. 12 shows thevalves o w in the raised position, the bell being then in communicationwith the pipe-conduit, the direct way being shut, so that the water hasto pass from the branch pipe h down into the bell g and can only passinto the branch pipef by flowing around the tongue 1.

a Fig. 12' shows the valve o partly raised, while the valve to is raisedcompletely. The direct path from A to B is shut by the valve w, so thatthe bell g is connected with the conduit. By the position of the valve nthe branch pipe 6 is opened; but the admission of water to the same islimited to a small proportion only. The operation of emptying in thecase of such elongated spaces is preferably effected so that startingfrom one end the first bell is connected with the pump, while the othersare dis connected therefrom, and after the soil within reach of thefirst bell has been removed the said bell is disconnected from the pumpand the next bell of the series is connected therewith, and so on untilall bells have been connected and respectively disconnected insuccession and until the whole space is emptied.

The quantity of the water admitted into the bell may be limited in anysuitable manner by the position of the valve o, according to Fig. 12,whereby the proportion of water pumped out This regu contained in themass which is from the bell may be restricted.

rior of said from said head, and a bailie-plate arranged lation of thewater admitted to the bell is effected in those cases where the bellsare employed without the arrangement of valves, before described, bymeans of a special valve 11, mounted in the branch pipe &.

The restriction of the quantity of the water to be admitted into thebell becomes of importance in case the dredgirig-ground consists of veryeasily loosened material or of sludge or mud. In this case the action ofthe suching-pump raises so much of the soil acted upon that the work ofdisintegration in the sucking current is necessary to a limited extentonly, and for this reason the admission of water is then restricted asmuch as the kind of soil acted upon will allow, the operation of thedredging-pump being, however, continued with full force, so that thevery liquid sludge is, for instance, sucked up thereby directly from thebottom of the bell only, even while the admission of water is shut off.

The several parts of the dredging arrange-' ment, such as the pump andthe emptying-devices, may be mounted according to requirements, eitheron board ships, as shown in Figs. 1 to 8, or they may be stationedpermanently on shore or upon underframes movable on shore.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is-- 1. In a suction dredging apparatus, the combination of adredging-head, a conduit adapted to supply water to the interior of saidhead, and a suction-conduit leading from said head.

2. In a suction dredging apparatus, the combination of a bell-shapeddredging-head open at its lower side, a conduit adapted to supply waterto the interior of said bell, and a suotion-conduit leading from saidbell.

S. In asuction dredgingapparatus, the combination of a dredgingdiead, aconduit adapted to supply water to the interior of said head, asuction-conduit leading from said head, and a baiile-plate arrangedwithin the head between said conduits.

4. In asuction dredgingapparatus, the combination of a bell-shaped head,open at its lower side, a conduit for supplying the intehead, asuctiou-conduit leading within the head between said conduits.

5. In asuction dredgingapparatus, the combination of a head, open at oneside, a conduit for supplying water to the interior of said head, asuction-conduit leading from said head, and means for directing thewater entering the head from the supply-pipe toward the open side of thehead in its passage to the suctionconduit.

6. The herein-described dredging device, consisting of a bell-shapedbody, having suitable inlet and outlet ports formed in the wall oppositeits open side, and a battle arranged within the body between said ports.

7. The combination of a bell-shaped dredging-head, having suitable inletand outlet ports formed therein, means within the head for directingwater toward the open side of the bell in its passage from the inlet tothe outlet port, and means for regulating the supply of water to thehead.

8. In a dredging apparatus, the combination of a dredging-head, aconduit for supplying water to said head, a suction-duct leading fromsaid head, and means for causing water to pass from said supply-conduitdirectly to the suction-duct or through said head at will.

9. In a dredging device, the combination of a bell-shaped dredging-head,a water-supply pipe communicating with a chamber in said head, asuction-conduit leading from said chamber, and valve mechanism mountedin said chamber and adapted to regulate the admission of water to saidhead and control its passage from the supply-pipe to the suctionconduit.

10. In a dredging apparatus, the combination of a dredging-head, awater-supply pipe connected with said head, a pump, a conduit connectingthe pump and dredging-head, a valve in said conduit, a discharge-pipeconnected with the pump, a valve in said discharge-pipe, an auxiliarywater-supply pipe connected with the conduit leading from thedredging-head to the pump, and a branch duct connecting said conduitwith the dischargepipe, substantially as and for the purpose described.

11. In a dredging apparatus, the combination of a dredging-head, awater-supply pipe connected with said head, a pump, a conduit connectingthe pump and dredging-head, a valve in said conduit, a discharge-pipeconnected with the pump, a valve in said discharge-pipe, an auxiliarywater-supply pipe connected with the conduit leading from thedreading-head to the pump, a branch duct connecting said conduit withthe discharge-pipe, and means connecting said valves whereby they can besimultaneously operated.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

OTTO FRUHLING. Witnesses:

WoLDEuAR HAUPT, HENRY HASPER.

